One of the beautiful things about running is that it doesn't matter if you run 1K or 30K; if you run fast or slow; if you run once a week or five times a week. Just lacing up your shoes and going for a run gives you a greater sense of accomplishment than if you had done nothing at all. I was amazed to recently finish my third half-marathon in a time I couldn't have imagined a year ago. Ten years ago, I was sent by an editor to report on the Sun Run. As I waited for the start gun to go off, I hid behind a bus shelter while smoking a cigarette. A kind, quiet editor - also a keen runner - suggested back in 2006 that I sign up as a Sun Run guinea pig, write about my training and maybe quit smoking at the same time. I reluctantly agreed and smoked my last cigarette about six weeks before running my first Sun Run. I finished in 62 minutes, felt a huge sense of accomplishment, but then didn't run again until I signed up for another clinic three years later. With the cigarettes long gone, my body is much more willing to cooperate. If I treat it well and train it well, it responds.

ANGELA WHITE

I felt lousy this morning; had a hectic day yesterday and didn't have time to eat properly. That always impacts me the next day. Before this morning's run, I had some water and a half-cup of instant coffee that I didn't finish. I was hungry before I even started running, making me miserable and grouchy. What did cheer me up was the snowmobile trail that my dog and I detoured onto. It goes through the woods . It's very narrow, has lots of sharp turns, only one steep uphill pitch and some very cool steep downhill sections. For those 4-5 minutes I forgot how hungry and cold I was. But I will certainly try not to run on empty again.

ALEXANDER DALLIN

Joining the Sun Run clinic this week wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. The best part was we got free shoes for the night. New Balance sent someone in with shoes for us to test drive. They felt different. These were bouncier and they really helped. I was still feeling a little tight in the chest from the cough I've had, but I still feel like I can get through the training and complete the Sun Run. I felt good after, but I was pretty stiff the next day.

More blogs at sunrun.com

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